OK, after a lot of searching, I finally managed to get myself a MIJ Tokai ES335 copy.
It's a 2005 ES 130, in red.
I've owned many guitars over the years and, so far, this is the 'nicest'. The previous owner has really taken care of it, and it looks pretty close to brand new. Fit and finish is superb. 7.5 lb. It has a lovely flamey red finish, with some of those mineral streaks you sometimes get in a figured top. A nice fat neck. The original pickups sound pretty good and authentic to me, I don't think I'll be swapping them out.
A few questions:
- Is the finish likely to be nitro? From what I've read online, it has a poly base coat. If that's the case, will it wear and dull like a 1981 ES100, or were the 80s ES guitars all-nitro?
- Does anyone know what spec pickups went into the 2005 ES 130?
- I assume a 2005 ES 130 wouldn't have a 'Honduras' mahogany neck?
- The rosewood on the fretboard is nice and dark and quite porous. Would this be Indian?
Many thanks!
It's a 2005 ES 130, in red.
I've owned many guitars over the years and, so far, this is the 'nicest'. The previous owner has really taken care of it, and it looks pretty close to brand new. Fit and finish is superb. 7.5 lb. It has a lovely flamey red finish, with some of those mineral streaks you sometimes get in a figured top. A nice fat neck. The original pickups sound pretty good and authentic to me, I don't think I'll be swapping them out.
A few questions:
- Is the finish likely to be nitro? From what I've read online, it has a poly base coat. If that's the case, will it wear and dull like a 1981 ES100, or were the 80s ES guitars all-nitro?
- Does anyone know what spec pickups went into the 2005 ES 130?
- I assume a 2005 ES 130 wouldn't have a 'Honduras' mahogany neck?
- The rosewood on the fretboard is nice and dark and quite porous. Would this be Indian?
Many thanks!